the weird link between Tight pelvic floors and constipation
Why on Earth would a tight anus actually cause diarrhea? Hold on, it’s a bumpy and unpleasant ride. Tight pelvic floor muscles can contribute to diarrhea, although this connection is not as common as other pelvic floor dysfunction symptoms like urinary incontinence or constipation. When pelvic floor muscles are overly tense and unable to relax properly, they can affect the normal functioning of the pelvic region, including the rectum and anal sphincters, which can potentially lead to diarrhea or diarrhea-like symptoms. Here's how tight pelvic floor muscles may contribute to diarrhea:
Increased Muscle Tension: Excessively tight pelvic floor muscles can create a state of chronic tension and contraction in the pelvic region. This tension can extend to the rectum and anal sphincters, which are responsible for controlling the passage of stool.
Ineffective Relaxation: Normally, the anal sphincters need to relax to allow the passage of stool during a bowel movement. If the pelvic floor muscles are consistently tight, they may not relax sufficiently, which can make it difficult for the sphincters to open properly.
Difficulty Passing Stool: Tight pelvic floor muscles can lead to a sensation of incomplete evacuation during bowel movements. This can result in straining and increased pressure in the rectum and anal area as the body attempts to pass stool.
Here’s where it starts to make sense…
Stool Retention and Irritation: Chronic difficulty passing stool due to tight pelvic floor muscles can lead to stool retention and constipation. Over time, retained stool can irritate the rectal lining, causing an urgency to empty the bowels and potentially leading to episodes of diarrhea.
Disrupted Bowel Function: In some cases, tight pelvic floor muscles can interfere with the normal reflexes and coordination of the bowel, leading to changes in stool consistency and frequency. This can contribute to diarrhea-like symptoms.
It's important to note that while tight pelvic floor muscles can potentially contribute to diarrhea, other underlying factors, such as dietary choices, gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease), and infections, can also cause diarrhea. These conditions can also create trigger points in the pelvic floor muscles, which then can cause new symptoms such as hemerroids, constipation, and incontinence. Therefore, if you're experiencing chronic or recurrent diarrhea, it's essential to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation. They can determine the specific cause of your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment, which may include acupuncture and pelvic floor physical therapy to address muscle tightness if it's a contributing factor.
